Bangladesh
Padma Bhushan for late Muazzem Ali, Padma Shris for three other Bangladeshis
President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Padma Awards, the highest civilian awards of the Indian state, for 2020 and 2021 through a Civil Investiture Ceremony held over two days Rashtrapati Bhavan this week.
Four Bangladeshis were recognized over the two days, with the 2020 awards ceremony that was precluded by the Covid-19 pandemic held together with 2021.
The Padma Shri Award was presented to Lt Col (Retd.) Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir for Public Affairs.
Colonel Sajjad was a freedom fighter recognized with the Bir Protik, a Swadhinata Padak winner, and independent researcher who has authored a number of books on the Bangladesh Liberation War.
He was a serving officer in the Pakistan Army, when he defected to join the call of Bangabandhu for an independent Bangladesh.
He has also played a pivotal role for the 'Friends of Bangladesh' award of the government of Bangladesh, which was constituted to recognize contributions of citizens of other countries, or foreigners, who played a significant role in the War of Liberation.
READ: Late Muazzem Ali awarded ‘Padma Bhushan’ by India
Eminent musicologist Sanjida Khatun received the Padma Shri Award for Art.
She was one of the principal founders of Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha during the Liberation War of 1971, as well as Chhayyanaut, devoted to Bengali culture, in the early 1960s.
Under her tutelage, Chhayanaut has risen to be recognized as an institute par excellence, promoting classical music and dance forms and earning global repute.
The Padma Bhushan, which is one level up from the Padma Shri and the third-highest civilian award conferred by India, went posthumously to the late diplomat Syed Muazzem Ali (Posthumous) for Public Affairs.
Ambassador Syed Muazzem Ali, a member of the distinguished Bangladesh Foreign Service, served as High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India from 2014-2019 and played a key role in bringing about greater political, economic, and security cooperation between the two countries.
He was closely associated with starting energy cooperation and land connectivity between Bangladesh and India.
Another Padma Shri was conferred on Prof Enamul Haque for Archeology.
He is the founding Director General of the National Museum of Bangladesh.
He is a distinguished archeologist and a highly respected cultural activist who dedicated his life to the field of archaeology and the associated development of the Museum.
Bangladeshi Afrin to meet 40 Nobel laureates in Chemistry
A graduate of Cumilla University’s Department of Chemistry has got the opportunity to meet 40 Nobel laureates in her field from around the world.Khandaker Afrina Haque, from Cumilla’s Chauddagram, was a student of just the third graduating batch of the department at CU, and is now doing an M.Phil at BUET.She will travel to Germany to attend the 71st Nobel Laureates Reunion at Lindau, where she will have the opportunity to meet some 40 Chemistry laureates, when they gather in the German tourist town from June 26 - July 1 next year.Afrina is one of just two Bangladeshis invited to join them by the Lindau Nobel Laureate Committee after various screenings under the auspices of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences. "It's like a dream, I never thought I would get such a huge opportunity," the budding chemist gushed. Afrina attained the highest GPAs - 3.89 at Bachelor's and 3.92 at Master's - recorded till now in the Chemistry Department of Cumilla University, and she was research-oriented from the very beginning.
READ: 3 US-based economists receive economics Nobel Prize
She said, “From the very beginning, I was interested in studying and researching.”She is currently pursuing research at BUET under Al Naqib Chowdhury, who advised her to apply for this event.Afrina's teachers are also happy with her success. Cumilla University Department of Chemistry’s Prof. Syedur Rahman said Afrina was talented and hardworking from the beginning. "We are very proud. Such students are the assets of the department, the star of Cumilla University. We look forward to more of her success," Prof. Syedur said.
READ: Russian Nobel winner: Peace Prize is for my paper, not meThe Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings focus on Nobel Prizes in Physiology, Medicine, Physics and Chemistry. Each meeting is organized consisting of various sessions, lectures, discussions, master classes, panel discussions and exchange of knowledge, ideas and experiences of young researchers with Nobel laureates.
Quader warns stern action against charging higher transport fare
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said strict legal action will be taken if bus operators are found forcing the passengers to pay higher fare than that has been re-fixed by the government. "I am urging the leaders of the owners and workers' federation not to collect more than the re-fixed rate and refrain from harassing the passengers. Otherwise, strict legal action will be taken against those responsible for it," he said.
READ: PM monitoring situation over fuel price hike: Quader
The minister said this call at a briefing at his Secretariat office amid allegations of charging higher bus fares by transport operators in breach of their commitment to the government. Quader also said that the government has re-fixed the fares of diesel-powered passenger transports only after a hike in the prices of diesel and kerosene.
READ: Quader blasts BNP for creating religious division in Bangladesh
He said that BRTA's mobile courts have been deployed in different parts of Dhaka metropolis to act against collection of extra fare. He called upon all concerned police and officials concerned to ensure that passengers are not harassed. Quader said that certain media outlets’ harsh criticism of the fuel hike has been unexpected, even though some others are playing a responsible role. Fuel price was routinely raised during the BNP's rule and the people did not forget it, he said. Obaidul Quader further said BNP increased the price even when it was low in the international market. The Awami League has increased prices 5 times in the last 13 years but has also reduced prices 5 times. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reduced the price of fuel oil in 2009 within seven days of taking office.
He claimed that the people of the country are moving forward.
Sunken ferry Amanat Shah salvaged after 14 days
Two weeks after its sinking the Ro Ro ferry Amanat Shah was salvaged from Padma River on Tuesday.
Joint director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority Fazlur Rahman supervising the salvage operation told UNB the ferry has been handed over to deputy director general of Bangladesh inland Water Transport Corporation, Zillur Rahman on Tuesday evening.
The ferry was salvaged by private company Genuine Enterprise appointed by the BIWTA.
Also read: Private company begins salvage work of sunken ferry Shah Amanat
Pontoon has been constructed at the Terminal 5 of Paturia, where the vessel sank, so it can operate again, said Fazlur Rahman.
The salvaged ferry is currently anchored near terminal 4 and on Wednesday it will be adjoined with the floating factory Madhumati of Terminal 5, he said.
Manager of Genuine Enterprize Ajay Debnath said, the ferry was salvaged with the help of five barge winch machines and it will be kept under observation for the next two days.
On October 27, MV Amanat Shah capsized near Paturia's fifth ferry terminal while preparing to dock. It was carrying 14 goods-laden trucks and four motorcycles at the time.
Also read: Paturia ferry accident: Salvage vessel ‘Rustom’ joins rescue operation on day 4
Rustom and Hamza two ships worked to rescue the vehicles that went down in the river along with the ferry.
Later a Tk 2 crore worth deal was signed with Chattogram-based Genuine Enterprise to salvage the ferry.
Bangladesh to get 5mn AstraZeneca jabs from Poland, KSA: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh will soon get around 5 million of AstraZeneca vaccine doses from Poland and Saudi Arabia as gifts.
Bangladesh will get around 1.5 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from Saudi Arabia.
"Our Ambassador in Riyadh has informed me that 1499,270 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine will come from the King Salman Relief Fund," he said in a message from Paris, France on Tuesday.
READ: Bangladesh receives 10 lakh doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from India
The vaccine doses will arrive in Dhaka by the next two to three days, Dr Momen said.
Meanwhile, he said, Poland will provide 3.3 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses free of cost to Bangladesh. These are being shipped, Dr Momen said.
READ: One million AstraZeneca vaccine doses to reach Dhaka from India today
Poland donated these vaccine doses through the European Union (EU)
BGMEA shares RMG success stories at IAF meeting
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has shared "impressive stories" of Bangladesh's RMG industry while attending the Board meeting of the International Apparel Federation (IAF) held in Antwerp, Belgium.
He also took part in the General Assembly of IAF members.
BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali attended the General Assembly on invitation.
Faruque Hassan has been elected as a Board Member of the International Apparel Federation (IAF) at the General Assembly of IAF members this year.
He was the first from the BGMEA Board joining the IAF in 2013.
The BGMEA President gave closing remarks at the 36th IAF World Fashion Convention held in Antwerp, Belgium on November 8 where he apprised the audience of the current status of Bangladesh’s RMG industry and its impressive strides, especially in the areas of workplace safety, environmental sustainability and workers’ wellbeing.
He also invited all to the next IAF Fashion Convention which will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in November 2022.
BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali attended the opening keynote panel of the IAF Convention as a speaker and discussed responsible purchasing practices.
The outgoing IAF President Han Bekke handed over the IAF presidency to Cem Altan during the 36th IAF World Fashion Convention.
BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib also participated in the 36th IAF Convention.
IAF is the world’s leading federation for apparel manufacturers, their associations, and the supporting industry that represents the interests of apparel companies in different stages of the supply chain, including brands, retailers and manufacturers.
IAF’s membership includes apparel manufacturing associations as well as brands from more than 40 countries.
BGMEA has been a member of the International Apparel Federation since 2013.
The IAF provides its members with valuable information and guidance and it represents its members on several international platforms working incessantly on more industry standardization, harmonisation, industry collaboration and inclusiveness of global solutions.
Cabinet committee seeks Law Division’s opinion to retrieve e-commerce customers' money stuck in gateways
The cabinet committee formed over e-commerce issues by the Commerce Ministry has sought the opinion of the Law and Justice Division for retrieving Tk 214 crore stuck in the payment gateways and returning it to the customers.
Additional Secretary of the ministry and coordinator of the committee AHM Shafiquzzaman said this to journalists after attending the third meeting of the committee held at the secretariat on Tuesday.
AHM Shafiquzzaman said letters had already been sent to the Public Security Division and Crime Investigation Department (CID) of police for returning the amount stuck in escrow or the gateway.
Also read: 49 e-commerce platforms are blacklisted, refund of customers’ money in process: Commerce Ministry
In the meantime, the Cabinet Secretary held a meeting with CID, Bangladesh Bank and another involved to discuss the process of returning money, he said.
Following the meeting, legal opinion from the Law and Justice Division was sought as a huge amount is stuck due to pending cases.
Depending on the opinion, they might be able to return the amount which is out of legal issues, he said.
Also read: E-commerce firms must get registered within 2 months: Cabinet
Replying to a question the secretary said, “It is taking time to return the money because CID has freezed it.”
Hasan Mahmud calls for foreign funding to boost use of solar energy in agriculture
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud has urged Bangladesh’s development partners, including the World Bank, to finance the country’s drive to increase the use of solar power in agriculture.
Hasan said this at a dialogue on the prospect of solar-powered irrigation to enhance climate resilient agriculture in Bangladesh held at Bangladesh Pavilion in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday.
READ: Communal violence: Facebook cannot deny responsibility, says Hasan Mahmud
The use of solar energy has increased in the country because it is climate tolerant, cost-effective, eco-friendly, he said.
“Every year, 1.24 lakh mts diesel is used to run irrigation pumps in the country. This can be saved if solar panels are installed to operate the pumps. Solar energy also helps reduce carbon emissions,” he said.
Besides, a solar panel can operate for up to 20 years uninterruptedly, he said.
The use of solar panels instead of diesel-run irrigation pumps was as important as the process of reducing the damage caused by future climate change.
Therefore, Bangladesh has taken initiative to increase the use of solar panels instead of diesel in irrigation pumps.
Idcol has been working to install solar panels in irrigation and the government has undertaken 789 projects at a cost of 443 million US dollar from the Climate Change Trust Fund with its own funding.
READ: BNP’s 20-party alliance has only 8-10 parties: Hasan Mahmud
He said Bangladesh has been working to mitigate the risks posed by climate change by formulating its own climate change strategic and action plan.
Idcol has installed 1,515 solar irrigation pumps with aid of different organisation, easy loan and technological support, which is so admirable.
He said the achievements of IDCOL in developing renewable energy and energy efficiency have given Bangladesh a global recognition.
D-8: Dhaka calls for addressing inequalities through proactive efforts
Bangladesh has said the D-8 has the responsibility to not only deal with intra-regional inequalities but also global ones through pro-active deliberations and associations.
Secretary (West and ICT) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury made the observation while inaugurating the 44th Session of the D-8 Commission.
Bangladesh, as the current Chair of Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8), hosted the two-day 44th Session of the D-8 Commission meeting that ended on Tuesday in Dhaka.
Also read: Intra-D-8 trade: Transport connectivity gets focus in Summit
Chaired by the D-8 Commissioner of Bangladesh and Director General (International Organizations) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Wahida Ahmed, the meeting was attended by the D-8 Secretary-General Ku Jaafar Bin Ku Shaari and Commissioners/delegates of the D-8 Member States.
The meeting focused on issues related to the six priority areas of cooperation of D-8- trade, agriculture, food security, industrial cooperation, energy and minerals, transportation and tourism.
In his welcome remarks, the D-8 Secretary-General urged the D-8 Commissioners to focus and work on the implementation of the currently available mechanisms of the Organization such as the PTA and Visa and Customs agreements.
The Chairperson, and D-8 Commissioner of Bangladesh briefed the meeting about the lucrative incentives offered by the Government of Bangladesh to set up Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and invited the meeting to invest in Bangladesh.
The Commission welcomed her proposal to host the inaugural meeting of the relevant authorities of the Member States on the D-8 Special Economic Zones in 2022 in Bangladesh.
The D-8 Commissioners reviewed the concept note drafted by Bangladesh on forming a Working Group to tackle the economic adversities of COVID-19 pandemic among the D-8 Member States, and committed to come up with pragmatic proposals to boost the vulnerable sectors under this adhoc Working Group.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the current Chair of the D-8.
Also read: D-8 Summit: Hasina for building a better future together
She assumed the Chairmanship of the D-8 from the President of Turkey on April 8, 2021 at the 10th D-8 Summit.
The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, also known as Developing-8, is an organisation for development co-operation among the following countries: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.
Shaheed Noor Hossain Day on Wednesday
Shaheed Noor Hossain Day, commemorating the martyrdom of a young pro-democracy activist during the anti-Ershad movement in the late 80s, will be observed on Wednesday.
On November 10, 1987, Noor Hossain, a leader of Awami Jubo League, was killed in police firing when he had staged protests against the then autocratic rule of Lt Gen HM Ershad at the capital’s zero point near Gulistan.
READ: Shaheed Noor Hossain Day today
The 26-year-old took to the streets with the slogan ‘Swairachar Nipat Jak, Gonotantra Mukti Pak’ (down with autocracy, let democracy be freed) inscribed in white on his chest and back. His death sparked a mass uprising that finally overthrew the Ershad regime.
Different socio-political, cultural and professional organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day with due reverence.
Leaders and activists of different political parties, including Awami League and BNP, and their associate bodies will pay tributes to the martyr by placing wreaths at Noor Hossain Square in the city's Gulistan area in the morning.
‘Zero Point’ in the capital’s Gulistan area was renamed as ‘Noor Hossain Chattar’ (square) after the young man was gunned down in the area.
On the eve of the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages.
President Abdul Hamid, in his message, said November 10 is an important day in the history of the movement for democracy in the country.
He recalled with respect all the martyrs, including Noor Hossain, who sacrificed their lives for democracy.
READ: Shaheed Noor Hossain Day Saturday
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the country's democracy was restored through the sacrifice of the lives of many with the fall of the dictator.
She prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls of all martyrs, including Noor Hossain, and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also issued separate messages on the occasion recalling the supreme sacrifice of Noor Hossain for the restoration of democracy.
In a statement, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader urged all and the leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies to mark the day with due respect maintaining health safety rules.